MP steps in to soften blow of bus price hikes

BURTON’S MP has vowed to speak with bosses at a major bus firm over ways to ‘reduce the impact’ of a raft of price rises which are being introduced.

Andrew Griffiths said he would write to Arriva chiefs after the firm revealed that the majority of its single adult and child fares were set to rise by 10p from this Sunday.

He told the Mail that he wants to work with the company to get it to extend a host of special saver offers, which are currently set to be stopped after three just three months.

The decision has been met with a backlash from commuters who flooded social networking sites with scathing opinions about the move.

Mr Griffiths said: “It is in the best interests of everyone, not just Arriva, to make sure that as many people as possible use public transport. It helps people save money and has an environmental impact.

“I will be writing to bosses at Arriva in a bid to get them to extend the specialist saver offers that they have put in place in a bid to minimise the impact that these price rises have on the pockets of people across Burton.

“Public transport is a vital service to many and everyone must come together in a bid to reduce the impact of price rises and make sure that people in Burton and the wider area are not hit hard in the pocket as a result.”

The fares that will be changed and rise by 10p are the ones priced at £1.50, £1.70, £1.80, £2.10, £2.40, £2.50, £2.60, £2.80, £3.00 and £3.20.

The £5.20 adult period return x38 Burton to Derby rate will increase to £5.40.

Arriva managing director Alex Perry said: “No one likes to increase their prices, especially at such a difficult time but, as everyone knows from their domestic bills, costs are steadily rising.

“The price rise will allow us to continue our significant investment in new fleet and meet rising business costs.”

Dozens of people headed to the Mail’s Facebook page to offer their view on the move by the firm.

Rachael Yeomans said: “It’s cheaper for me and my family to get a taxi door to door than catch a bus.”

Jono David Stone said: “It’s cheaper to run a car than using a bus.”

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